Unfit for swimming

Ettalong Beach has been found to be unfit for swimming.

Ettalong Channel has failed National Health and Medical Research Council swimming water quality standards, in tests by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

The Channel received a "poor" water quality rating, with elevated levels of faecal coliforms, in the department's Beachwatch program.

Beachwatch manager Ms Cris Hickey said the elevated levels of faecal coliforms measured at Ettalong Channel were attributed with stormwater discharge after heavy rain in October.

"Faecal coliforms themselves are harmless bacteria that naturally occur in digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, including humans," Ms Hickey said.

"They are known as indicator organisms that help us measure the presence of domestic sewage in the water.

"Faecal coliforms indicate the excrement from humans, dogs, livestock or wildlife that are known to increase following periods of heavy rainfall.

"If it has rained during the last few days, then there is a possibility that water may be polluted.

"This would explain the elevated levels of faecal coliforms found in Ettalong Channel when it was tested last month.

"During dry weather, results are fabulous because there is no stormwater discharge to contaminate the water.

"We recommend people avoid swimming during and at least one day after heavy rain to avoid virus pathogens."

Other local swimming locations including Woy Woy baths, Umina Beach, Killcare Beach, Pretty Beach baths, Pearl Beach and Pearl Beach baths received good results.

Gosford Council's manager of education and compliance Mr John Parkes said council would conduct weekly monitoring until the end of the 2008-2009 summer swimming season in April to provide the community and visitors with information on beach water quality.

"The results for this first month of the Beachwatch season confirm the findings from previous years - Gosford's beaches are amongst the cleanest in the state," Mr Parkes said.

"Water quality in dry weather conditions is great, with low bacterial readings showing no evidence of sewage contamination.

"As a general rule, we encourage people to avoid swimming for a day after rainfall at coastal beaches and for up to three days in estuarine areas due to the impacts of stormwater discharges.

"There are many things that the community and visitors to the area can do to help keep our beaches clean.

"By placing litter in the bin or taking it home with you and picking up pet droppings, we can all help ensure pollution stays out of the stormwater and our waterways remain clean."

Mr Parkes said results would be made available to the public on council's website every week at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au and searching for "beachwatch".

The Beachwatch program was established in 1989 in response to community concern about the impact of sewage pollution on human health and the environment.

The programs provide regular information on beach water quality to enable people to make informed decisions about where and when to swim.

Clare Graham, 7 Nov 2008 Interviewee: Cris Hickey, Department of Environment and Climate Change Press release, 5 Nov 2008 Lisa-Maree Schell, Gosford Council